By Alex Malm
During the Oct. 24 Board of Selectmen meeting, the board was in favor of selecting Kearsarge Energy from Boston MA as the vendor for the proposed project to add solar panels to the old landfill property, should voters approve the project in March.
It was explained by Town Engineer, Elvis Dhima, at the meeting that they could use portions of the West Road Landfill site, to install solar panels, make money, and save money on the town’s electric bill. He said the town could save and make about $4.47 million for the 25 years of the contract, with a 15-year additional lease option available bringing that number up to $8.45 million. Dhima stated that they would essentially be using all the prime land at the landfill, which is about six or seven acres.
During the meeting questions were raised about what would happen to the Southern NH RC Club, which has used the space for over two decades. The Selectmen ultimately agreed to table the decision until the Nov. 14 meeting, to allow the RC Club to look back at their records and answer some specific questions raised by the Board of Selectmen
Eight people spoke in favor of allowing the RC Club to continue to use Wagner Field and for a compromise to be reached.
Harry Peters, during public comment, said he has been a part of the club for years and they aren’t against solar. “We’re not here to stop the solar farm, I’m here to try to come up with a solution so we can coexist together,” he said. He also noted that in addition to improvements made to the site by the club, the club also donated over $16,000 over the years to the Hudson Recreation center, per the recommendation of Darrell Wagner.
Wendy Wagner Anderson, the daughter of the field’s namesake, Darrell Wagner, gave a statement, “24 years ago my father worked tirelessly to secure this field for his favorite RC club”. She also noted that Wagner was not only a former chair of the Hudson Planning Board, he was also a former state legislator.
Another member of the public, John Stevens, requested, “As you [Board of Selectmen] start thinking about this decision, think about both the tangibles and the intangibles and the community because once this green space is gone, it is gone forever,” said Stevens .
One question raised again was whether there could be the RC Club and solar panels.
Dhima reiterated that he was told no. “You’re talking about fuel and electricity, not a good mix,” he said. Dhima explained that the intent is to maximize on the revenue and “the idea is to keep this as safe as possible.” He also noted that it was the Board of Selectmen’s decision to go out with a request for qualifications for this project since other communities are doing the same.
The President of the RC Club, Cody Wojcik, presented information about all the work the club put into the field over the years and the costs they incurred, with inflation the club estimated they invested close to $40,000. Additionally, he presented information about another solar farm in Rockland County NY that coexists with an RC Club. Cody said, “We are pro solar…we want the best for the town … all we are really asking for is for some consideration to made for us.”
Vice Chair, David Morin, said he thinks the voters should have the final say.
“Let’s send it to a warrant article and let the residents decide, not this board,” he said.
Selectman, Kara Roy, noted that there is at least one example of a RC club coexisting with a solar farm in New York. Roy added that she doesn’t think it’s a “well thought out plan.” and she thinks they didn’t give enough consideration to the RC Club.
Selectman, Bob Guessferd, who served on the committee to select the firm, said, “It’s a tough decision, I am not sure that we knew enough information on day one when we started this process: I didn’t even know they [the RC Club] existed.” Guessferd continued, “We have a duty to everyone in this town… to me there is not a deadline… we have time… we can look at this a little closer.”
Roy and Guessferd were the two votes against sending the warrant article to the ballot, with Morin, Dumont, and McGrath voting in favor.